MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — Monroe County officials are considering a a new sales tax, which could create up to $40 million over the next six years.
They say one of the areas that could see improvements is the horse arena at the recreation center. They say the sales tax could contribute up to $1.5 million to build a roof over the arena, making it usable in any type of weather.
Training people how to horseback ride is not new to Charlotte Hayes.
"I come here three or four times a week. I give lessons once a week," Hayes said.
Hayes says even though she loves training at Monroe County's public horse arena, she doesn't love that it's not built for year-round riding.
"When it rains it pours, so it really saturates the arena where events have to get canceled or rescheduled," Hayes said. "Also, in the summertime, it is extremely hot for the rider and the horses and the animals."
County Commissioner Eddie Rowland understands upgrades to the entire center are needed. He says about $33 million of the 2026 SPLOST fund would be allocated to Monroe County, $6 million to the city of Forsyth and about $750,000 to the city of Culloden.
"We're going to spend a million and a half for roof and lights for the horse arena that we're going to be doing," Rowland said.
The county also plans to spend $400,000 for more parking in the area. Nearly $6 million will go toward sports fields on Dan Pitts Drive.
"We're going to clean off about 25 acres and grass it and prepare it to be used for three soccer slash football fields and three softball slash baseball fields," Rowland said.
For Hayes, a roof will allow her to stirrup more rides year-round.
"To even add a roof over this arena would be fantastic. They would get more revenue; they would get more action. They probably get more money coming in," Hayes said.